Aquille Carr scored 61 points for Patterson when the Clippers played Forest Park last year. But he didn't need to do as much this time, and that made coach Harry Martin a happy man.
Carr finished with a game-high 24 points, as No. 3 Patterson defeated No. 8 Forest Park, 79-63 on Monday night. Patterson not only had Carr's complete play, but benefited from strong performances by Nymee Manns, Devin Hebron and Leonard Livingston.
This game didn't affect the Baltimore City standings, but a Patterson win over Carver later this week secures the Clippers a spot to play No. 7 Dunbar in the Division I title game, probably next week.
Forest Park (14-2), whose 12-game winning streak ended, already clinched a berth in the Division II title contest next week.
Martin's been pushing the Clippers(13-5)
to play more like a team lately. He wants Patterson to play better defense and run when the chance is there.
The host Clippers forced 18 turnovers, often converting them into fast breaks for easy baskets which helped them take a 13-point lead early in the second quarter. Forest Park never threatened again.
"The last three wins have been great team wins," Martin said. "The more people that get involved, the better — without a doubt."
Carr displayed a number of his trademark slick moves and passes. He had seven assists and also made some steals or poked the ball away on defense to slow the Foresters.
The biggest thing the Seton Hall-bound guard did was make passes to get his teammates involved with the offense. Carr scored his team's first seven points but spent much of the night passing to players like Manns (11 points), Hebron (10 points) and others.
"That's one of the things I'm trying to do," Carr said. "Coach told me I've got to be more of a leader and to step up. I'm trying to get everyone involved."
But the Clippers took advantage of their good defense, especially from Manns and the 6-foot-10 Livingston. He came off the bench to finish with four points and six blocks and forced Forest Park to alter a number of shots.
"I broke out of my shell and feel more confident now," said Livingston, a senior in his first year at Patterson.
Anton Waters led Forest Park with 21 points, including some spectacular dunks. Waters got two on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter and helped out when Rysheed Corbin fouled out early in the third quarter.
"Anton can be real good when he puts his mind to it," Forest Park coach Greate White said. "He can bang with the best."